بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Why have we given our allegiance to today’s rulers?
It’s been more than 2 years since the events of October the 7th, and the world watches in shock as no one has made any real attempts to resolve the situation. This week, when the ceasefire was announced, it was hailed as a victory with people across the world, and within Gaza, celebrating the news. The only good news is that the people of Gaza have been given a temporary respite against the horrific scale of atrocities that they have experienced since ‘Israel’ attacked.
But has not meant that the violence and atrocities have stopped- there are still reports of the atrocities that are being committed in Palestine, and how the Jewish entity has now focused more of its attention on the West Bank. It’s clear from the statements of newly elected President Trump, and both the statements and actions of Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF, that these atrocities are far from over.
Throughout this entire situation, the world has been struck by the lack of concern shown by the so-called Muslim rulers. We called upon them to act, to send the armies to liberate Palestine, with its land and people being so close to our hearts. They did not.
Instead, they made ridiculously vague and transparent statements, ‘condemning’ the actions of ‘Israel’, all while refusing to halt their trade and diplomatic relations. They then accepted a ‘legal solution’ with a people that has absolutely no regard for any of the international laws.
We constantly wondered how they could accept this, even as our hearts cry out in anguish at the horrors experienced by the Palestinian men, women and children. But following the news and the political developments, as they exposed the actions of the rulers across the world, has given us our answer- as horrific as it may be.
The first reason is clearly benefit. They are all benefitting, in one way or another, by allowing the atrocities to continue. Whether this was through their support of Israel alone, or of America aswell. The second, is that they are just as capable of committing such atrocities themselves, if it means protecting such interests.
Since the fall of Bashar in Syria, we have been received reports of the horrors that he inflicted on his people. Within Syria, the people said that “the walls have ears” to refer to the regime’s sprawling intelligence surveillance system and network of spies, the dreaded Mukhabarat. Anyone who made a critical comment about the regime risked disappearing into one of its dungeons- there are more than 100 detention facilities and an unknown number of secret facilities.
One of these facilities is the Sednaya ‘Red’ Prison. Dubbed the “Human Slaughterhouse,” Sednaya was the site of systemic torture, violence and killing; used to crush political dissent, especially after the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011.
“Methods used included the dulab (the Arabic for "wheel"), where prisoners were forced into a car tyre and beaten; and falaqa ("foot whipping") when the soles of the feet were struck with cables. Prisoners were also suspended by their wrists or arms, causing dislocated joints and long-term injuries. Detainees also reported being intentionally starved or receiving minimal and often inedible food. Many suffered from severe malnutrition, skin diseases and other illnesses due to a lack of food and natural light. Medical care was almost entirely denied, even for life-threatening injuries, leaving many to die from neglect. Sexual violence was another weapon used to degrade and control detainees.” (Source: Al Jazeera)
There are also reports that detail how Egypt aided the CIA, acting as a destination for “outsourcing” U.S. torture. (Source: time)
In Jordan, the authorities introduced harsh new measures following 9/11. Arguing that these measures were necessary to fight terrorism, they expanded the definition of terrorism under Jordanian law and increased the number of offences punishable by death or life imprisonment. More recently, the government introduced a draft anti-terrorist legislation which is currently before the parliament and will strengthen these laws at the continuing expense of human rights. Amnesty International has received numerous reports of individuals who, arrested in connection with their Islamist beliefs, have been subjected to torture and periods of prolonged detention without trial.
The use of torture and other ill-treatment in Jordan is not limited to those who are suspected of political offences or those suspected of involvement in terrorism. Indeed, some of the most serious reports of torture received by Amnesty International have been of ordinary criminal suspects by law enforcement personnel.
A former senior official at the CIA has stated that “Jordan is at the top of the list of our foreign partners… they are willing to help in any way they can”. Another former CIA official stated “[i]f you send a prisoner to Jordan you get a better interrogation”.
(Source: Amnesty International)
Turkey is responsible for serious abuses and potential war crimes committed by members of its own forces and local armed groups it supports in Turkish-occupied territories of northern Syria. A Human Rights Watch reports documents abductions, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detention, sexual violence, and torture by the various factions. They also found that Turkish Armed Forces and intelligence agencies were involved in carrying out and overseeing abuses. Some of the documented violations of housing, land, and property rights, including widespread looting and pillaging as well as property seizures and extortion, and the failure of attempted accountability measures to curb abuses or to provide restitution to victims.
“Ongoing abuses including torture and enforced disappearances of those who live under Turkish authority in northern Syria will continue unless Türkiye itself takes responsibility and acts to stop them,” said Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Turkish officials are not merely bystanders to abuses, but bear responsibility as the occupying power, and in some cases have been directly involved in apparent war crimes.” (Source: HRW)
Within the Palestinian territories, we have the examples of what the Palestinian Authority has done, and is doing, in order to subdue resistance against the Jewish occupation. It’s known to coordinate its actions with the Jewish entity’s army, and utilizes tactics of oppression that are often indistinguishable from theirs.
Most recently, we can see this in their crackdown in Jenin. Where they have laid a relentless siege on the refugee camp, cutting off water, electricity and banning the entry of most basic supplies. The PASF also stationed snipers on rooftops and placed checkpoints in the streets, in order to limit the movement of resistance fighters. There are also reports of beatings, arrests and torture.
In Saudi, we have the examples of what they have done in Yemen, and then the killing of Jamal Khāshqujī. And, in Pakistan, we have the example of the treatment of Dr Aafia Siddiqui who has spent over 20 years in detention for a crime she did not commit, continues to suffer. Her plight evokes images of torture, false imprisonment, abandonment, and the complicity of governments.
These are just a few of the examples that exist in the world today. There are many, many more. These examples should make us consider why we are allowing these people to have leadership over us. Why should we accept their authority over us? When they are so clearly committing atrocities against the men, women and children under their rule.
Do we do it out of fear?
If this is the case, we should remember that nothing can happen to us unless Allah wills it – and then it will be a test, and nothing we do will stop the test from coming to us. But we can find solace in the fact that will be rewarded for facing the test, and choosing to follow Allah’s commands, on the Day of Judgement.
[قُل لَّن يُصِيبَنَا إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبَ اللّهُ لَنَا هُوَ مَوْلاَنَا وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ]
“Say, 'Nothing will ever befall us except what Allah has destined for us. He is our Protector'; so in Allah let the believers put their trust.” [Surah 9:51].
[وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ اللّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلاَ كَاشِفَ لَهُ إِلاَّ هُوَ وَإِن يُرِدْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَلاَ رَادَّ لِفَضْلِهِ يُصَيبُ بِهِ مَن يَشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِهِ وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ]
“and ‘If Allah touches you with harm, none can undo it except Him. And if He intends good for you, none can withhold His bounty. He grants it to whoever He wills of His servants. And He is the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’”[Surah 10:107].
So, then how can we fear them? And if we do not fear them, shouldn’t we feel anger? The same anger and disgust that we feel when we see the reports of what Israel is doing in Palestine? Reports that show us the truth of what lies in their hearts and the hatred towards those who would defy them.
And if we feel this anger, why don’t we feel a drive to remove these rulers? The rulers who are stopping us from protecting our Muslim brothers, sisters and children? Who are so flagrant in their disregard for any law – but especially Allah’s law?
Why do we allow them to demand our loyalty, our allegiance? Why do we accept them as our rulers?
These are all questions that we need to consider – and as we consider them we need to decide, when will enough be enough?
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Fatima Musab
Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir